The Suspension of USAid Threatens the Well-Being of Millions of Women

Author: Luthfie Febrianto
February 15, 2025

US President, Donald Trump. (ANTARA)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The U.S. Department of State implemented a 90-day hold order to "review" existing contracts, a decision that has had far-reaching consequences for global health initiatives.

The directive has forced many clinics to shut down permanently, disrupting essential services such as cervical cancer screenings, HIV treatment, and intrauterine contraceptive device removal.

“The whole ecosystem is crumbling. Ninety days later – we’re going to be rebuilding from the ground … Because of the extensive damage done to the ecosystem for reproductive health and rights,” said Dr Carole Sekimpi, a doctor in Uganda and senior director for Africa with MSI Reproductive Choices, as quoted on The Guardian.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the U.S. government tasked with overseeing civilian foreign aid and development programs.

As an independent agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) oversees civilian foreign aid and development programs, playing a crucial role in global humanitarian efforts.

The U.S. has allocated $8.2 billion annually for such aid, and the Congress has allocated $607.5 million in foreign aid for family planning, funding that could have provided modern contraceptives to 47 million women and girls.

However, upon taking office, Trump froze all U.S. foreign aid for 90 days for contract reviews and halted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Although the State Department later granted waivers and clarified that "life-saving" humanitarian aid was exempt from the freeze, staffing cuts and confusion stemming from the president’s orders led to major delays, even for essential programs like food assistance.

The Trump administration’s halt on foreign aid led to an estimated 130,390 women per day losing access to contraception, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Over 11.7 million women were affected after the 90-day freeze, potentially causing 4.2 million unintended pregnancies and over 8,340 maternal deaths.

Author: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas